Colourful Jodhpur Railway Station by Farhat Khan

The walls, ceilings and pillars are adorned with beautiful Rajasthan art works

Mandana and Pabuji ki Phad are painting styles used

Farhat Khan was in for a vibrant surprise
on her recent visit to her in-laws at Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The railway station
has undergone a complete makeover and looks bright and colourful. The walls and
ceilings have been painted with Rajasthani motifs and art.

The otherwise staid and dead looking station today
exudes city’s charm with paintings depicting the cultural history of this
Rajasthani city. The walls and pillars have been beautified using Mandana
paintings — special form of paintings from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan drawn
in homes on special occasions to welcome gods.

The entrance and panels are also adorned with eye
catching Pabuji ki Phad paintings — a popular folk art of Rajasthan where
stories of our region’s folk deities specially Pabuji, the 14th century Rathod
Rajput chief are artfully depicted.

A simple visit to this station was not only a visual
treat but also a fond jog down the cultural history of one of India’s most
colourful states for Farhat. Jodhpur
being a popular tourist destination boasting of many palaces, forts and temples
attracts visitors from across the globe. The renovation of the railway station
that is usually the first impression of this glorious capital of erstwhile
Marwar kingdom has been among the best moves by tourism authorities.